Pfft!
The army was routed, and Cao Du, its commanding general, took an arrow and fell to the ground, coughing up blood. No one knew whether he was alive or dead.
At that moment, the defeated soldiers crowded beneath the city gate, desperate to get inside, their faces red as blood. Some even turned their blades on their former comrades to seize a sliver of hope for survival.
"Charge with me!"
Wu Ming's eyes flashed. He led his own squad and followed behind the chaotic mass of soldiers.
"Quick! Quick! Close the city gate!"
Several officials were frantic, but there were too many soldiers and everything was in chaos. Who would listen and leave their comrades, or even their family and friends, outside?
Clatter, clatter!
At the critical moment, Wu Ming charged ahead, his long blade flashing again and again as heads fell. "Surrender and you'll be spared!"
Behind him, Zhong Ting, Niu Yong, and the others led the soldiers, charging forward with Wu Ming at their tip. They shouted, "Surrender and you'll be spared!"
"We surrender!"
"We surrender!"
The many defeated soldiers who had lost their will to fight cried out and tossed aside their weapons.
"First to scale the walls! Squad Leader Wu Ming!"
Wu Ming took the steps two at a time and charged straight onto the city wall. He cut down the original banner, planted the Nine Mountains Army's flag, and roared.
All three armies cheered together, mingled with the Cao army's cries of surrender. The outcome was settled.
Pfft!
Li Rubi, who had been drinking water, nearly spat it out. "That man again!?"
He called over an attendant. "How should we reward him for being first to breach the city?"
The man hesitated. "Sieges are difficult. The first to scale the walls should be